Caribbean golf courses offer multitudes of fantastic fairways

If you feel that no vacation is complete without at least one round of golf, get thee to the Caribbean. The climate is nearly perfect year-round, and the dramatic, dazzling settings are draws in themselves.

You can take the sting out of missing that "gimme" putt by looking up to see the sea or the mountains, while inhaling the scents from the lush tropical foliage all around you. As an added bonus, you'll be challenged by often-tricky sea breezes along with that slice you haven't conquered yet. There are difficult waterfront holes and fairways that wind up and down hills. The terrain is blissfully suited for par-three courses, of which there are many.

Golf is widely available throughout the Caribbean, especially on the larger islands. Casual golfers will find that most courses are open to play by visitors, with instruction and equipment rental offered. But, the budget-conscious traveler should plan well in advance.

Greens fees cover the gamut from reasonable to really expensive, and some of the top-notch courses will be closed to non-guests during the peak winter season. Dedicated golfers should research the golf packages offered by the various resorts. Greens fees, caddy service, and carts may or may not be included in the package, or they may be available at reduced prices.

Worth noting: Please consider any specific quoting of greens fees as guidelines only. In the Caribbean, they change regularly and can vary according to season or to package arrangements.

Some of the best golf in the Caribbean can be found in the Dominican Republic at the Casa de Campo Resort. There are four courses here, the most well-known being the legendary "Teeth of the Dog." This is an 18-hole course designed by Pete Dye. There are seven holes adjacent to the sea, and the other eleven are a diabolical masterpiece of twists and turns.

Golf writer Dale Leatherman calls "The Links" one of the best courses off the forward tees for the ladies, but he doesn't claim it's easy. "The course has lots of inland water and more doglegs than a packed kennel." Opened in 1977, this one isn't as well-known as "Teeth of the Dog," but it is considered just as challenging by many who have played both courses. (By the way, it's not for women only.)

The third course at Casa de Campo is La Romana Country Club, which is most frequently played by local residents rather than guests. The fourth course is the long-awaited and recently opened "Dye Fore," the brainchild of designer Pete Dye. It's perched on the cliffs above the Chavon River.

Casa de Campo greens fees generally range from $100(USD) to $150(USD), caddies and carts extra. For those of you wanting to get in a lot of golf and not break the bank, check out the multi-day passes that are available.

In the last 20 years or so, golf has been experiencing boom times and significant growth throughout the Dominican Republic. It's a good vacation choice for golf, with numerous courses to explore all around the island.

Jamaica is another excellent Caribbean choice for golfers, from beginners to experts. The island is known (though some would say "cursed") for its deviously tricky ocean breezes. Here you'll find Tryall Club Jamaica in Montego Bay, which some call the finest golf on the island. It is laid down over the grounds of an old sugar cane plantation and is credited to Ralph Plummer. The par 71 course covers 6,920 yards. The Johnny Walker World Championship tournament is played here, as well as the Jamaica Classic Annual. Tryall is closed to non-guests in the winter, and charges guests a greens fee of $80(USD). The rest of the year guests will pay $40(USD) and visitors $150(USD).

Wyndham Rose Hall Golf and Country Club (Rose Hall, Jamaica) is home to the "Three Palms Ocean Course," named by experts as one of the top five golf courses in the world. Its par 72, mountain and seaside layout stretches over 6,598 yards, with the back nine occupying the steep slopes and cavernous ravines of Mount Zion. Everybody talks about the eighth hole, which doglegs onto a little peninsula and has a green that sticks itself 200 yards into the sea. There are other well-known holes, too, like the14th, which passes by Johnny Cash's vacation home; and the 15th where there is a waterfall once used as part of the setting of a James Bond movie. The 10th fairway lies adjacent to the historic burial grounds of the Barrett family.

Extensive amenities include a pro shop, pro staff, and clubhouse. Fees range from $100(USD) and up, and they usually include the cost of cart and caddy. Invitational tournaments, including the Jamaica Open, are held at various times throughout the year.

The Ritz Carlton's new course, called "The White Witch Course," gets its name from Annie Palmer, the "White Witch" who was the mistress of Rose Hall Plantation. Located in the old plantation countryside surrounding Rose Hall, Jamaica, the 18-hole course (commanding some pretty hefty fees) occupies about 200 yards of mountainous terrain. From most of the holes, there are such amazing views of the sea that your game just might suffer a bit from the distraction of them. The designer, Robert Von Hagge, must have known what he was doing.

With at least 18 championship-quality courses at various locations on the island, Puerto Rico is another superior Caribbean destination for the golf enthusiast. Some of the best course architects, like Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Gary Player, and Greg Norman have credits here. Other excellent choices include "Mahogany Run" on St. Thomas and "Carambola" on St. Croix, both in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cricket is the most popular sport on Barbados, but golf runs a close second.

Doing a little advance research is your best bet because so many other wonderful golfing opportunities are to be found in the Bahamas, and just about everywhere else in the Caribbean, including what's mentioned here. You can even find a game of miniature golf, if you are so inclined.